Plouffe Blasts Barton, Calls for his Resignation from Energy and Commerce Committee

From Sunlen Miller: In an email sent to “Organizing for America” supporters, David Plouffe blasts Rep. Joe Barton’s (R-TX) comments today and calling for his resignation as the highest-ranking Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.”But big oil knows exactly who its allies are,” Plouffe – Obama’s former campaign manager writes, “Notably, companies like Halliburton — the folks responsible for cementing the Deepwater Horizon rig — are directing their political committees to deliver thousands of dollars to GOP candidates this cycle. Barton himself has received more than $100,000 from the oil and gas industry this election cycle. Barton should apologize to the people of the Gulf and he should step down as the highest-ranking Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.”White House press secretary Robert Gibbs today said the GOP may want to reconsider Rep. Barton’s leadership role on the committee, yet stopped short of calling out-right for his resignation. Plouffe says that he owes the people in the Gulf an apology, not BP”Let's be clear. This fund is a major victory for the people of the Gulf. It's a key step toward making them whole again. BP has a responsibility to those whose lives and livelihoods have been devastated by the disaster. And BP oil executives don't deserve an apology — the people of the Gulf do.”Plouffe – who is advising OFA for the midterm elections – also uses this as an opportunity to take aim at other Republicans as – who he says are “echoing” Barton’s call.”Sen. John Cornyn said he ‘shares’ Barton's concern. Rep. Michele Bachmann said that BP shouldn't agree to be ‘fleeced.’ Rush Limbaugh called it a "bailout." The Republican Study Committee, with its 114 members in the House, called it a ‘shakedown.’”Plouffe says that if Republicans win control of the House Rep. Barton could become the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee – charged with overseeing regulation of the oil and gas industry.OFA asks for people to sign an open letter to “show him and other Republicans that they weren't elected to defend big oil.”-Sunlen Miller